+1 to that. I just downloaded Google's new navigation app for the iPhone and all I can say is watch out Garmin. If it was GPS based instead of cell tower based, I could see no reason to have a Garmin at all. So much better.

+1 to that. I just downloaded Google's new navigation app for the iPhone and all I can say is watch out Garmin. If it was GPS based instead of cell tower based, I could see no reason to have a Garmin at all. So much better.

Couple problems with a cell phone as a GPS is that the screens don't work with gloves on, battery life is atrocious when running a GPS app, and they aren't hardened, so mounting them to the bike with all the vibration and lack of waterproofing wil probably kill one pretty quick. That's why I wold really love to see them come out with actual GPS hardware as well as a downloadable map solution. I have no doubt they would kick Garmin's butt.

Couple problems with a cell phone as a GPS is that the screens don't work with gloves on, battery life is atrocious when running a GPS app, and they aren't hardened, so mounting them to the bike with all the vibration and lack of waterproofing wil probably kill one pretty quick. That's why I wold really love to see them come out with actual GPS hardware as well as a downloadable map solution. I have no doubt they would kick Garmin's butt.

+1.

Unfortunately, I don't know if the market is big enough for Google to step into hardware. If the Google Map app starts to use the GPS circuitry as well as cell-tower-based in the new cell phones (like Scribe suggests), then I see the consumer car GPS market drying up. That could really hurt Garmin, and really only leave them with the "outdoor" GPS market. Is that a big enough? I don't know.

I think building a more water proof and shock resistant phones (or isolation carriers) is more likely than Google actually producing hardware. Unfortunately. But I support the dream of a Google GPS Unit with Downloadable maps.

Unfortunately, I don't know if the market is big enough for Google to step into hardware. If the Google Map app starts to use the GPS circuitry as well as cell-tower-based in the new cell phones (like Scribe suggests), then I see the consumer car GPS market drying up. That could really hurt Garmin, and really only leave them with the "outdoor" GPS market. Is that a big enough? I don't know.

I think building a more water proof and shock resistant phones (or isolation carriers) is more likely than Google actually producing hardware. Unfortunately. But I support the dream of a Google GPS Unit with Downloadable maps.

RAM makes a mount to hold cell phones in a "claw" type of holder. DaMoron has one on his WeeStrom and it worked great on our trip to VT last year. Keep the power plugged in and it functioned just as well as my Garmin unit.

Unfortunately, I don't know if the market is big enough for Google to step into hardware. If the Google Map app starts to use the GPS circuitry as well as cell-tower-based in the new cell phones (like Scribe suggests), then I see the consumer car GPS market drying up. That could really hurt Garmin, and really only leave them with the "outdoor" GPS market. Is that a big enough? I don't know.

I think building a more water proof and shock resistant phones (or isolation carriers) is more likely than Google actually producing hardware. Unfortunately. But I support the dream of a Google GPS Unit with Downloadable maps.

Google has announced they will be building brick and mortar stores. Gonna need something besides a couple laptops, cell phones, and tablets to fill those stores.

RAM makes a mount to hold cell phones in a "claw" type of holder. DaMoron has one on his WeeStrom and it worked great on our trip to VT last year. Keep the power plugged in and it functioned just as well as my Garmin unit.

Can't speak for other smart phones, but an iPhone will actually discharge while plugged in and running a real time GPS app like Motion GPX. And once again, it's not waterproof, can't use it with gloves, and it's not hardened against vibration. Put enough miles on it strapped onto a bike and it will fail from the vibes. Never mind the fact if you get n a wreck and destroy the phone, gonna make it hard to call for help.

Google has announced they will be building brick and mortar stores. Gonna need something besides a couple laptops, cell phones, and tablets to fill those stores.

Cool! By the way, Google says that their Maps app for iPhone will soon have a function to allow you to download and save map sections to your phone, so that when you are out of cell range, you'll still have access to the Google Maps and GPS function. The GPS on the iPhone DOES work when you are out of cell range, the problem is you have no map data. Out in Colorado I could locate myself with the iPhone in the middle of nowhere (with GPS only), but all I had was a blue dot in the middle of a blank screen.

Can't speak for other smart phones, but an iPhone will actually discharge while plugged in and running a real time GPS app like Motion GPX. And once again, it's not waterproof, can't use it with gloves, and it's not hardened against vibration. Put enough miles on it strapped onto a bike and it will fail from the vibes. Never mind the fact if you get n a wreck and destroy the phone, gonna make it hard to call for help.

DaMoron has a Droid phone of some kind. Didn't seem to have any problem with discharging. My Casio is mil-spec. Waterproof, dustproof, etc. I've tested its abilities a coupla times.

Smartphones aren't the final answer for sure, but a move in a good direction. I haven't even installed the gps on PandaBike. If I need directions, or to find fuel, food, etc, I just pull out the phone and go to Google Maps. The gps is living in the car so my wife can get further confused.

RAM makes a mount to hold cell phones in a "claw" type of holder. DaMoron has one on his WeeStrom and it worked great on our trip to VT last year. Keep the power plugged in and it functioned just as well as my Garmin unit.

Ditto - have one on my GS to hold my Iphone. Works great. Can't take place of the GPS but I use it to look up weather, email, and have it blue toothed to my Sena headset for phone and music.

With all the negativity, I'm thinking I don't want to drop over $500 on a Montana. Just keep using my Nuvi 500 until Albie uses his pull to get Google to make a unit.

Cool! By the way, Google says that their Maps app for iPhone will soon have a function to allow you to download and save map sections to your phone, so that when you are out of cell range, you'll still have access to the Google Maps and GPS function. The GPS on the iPhone DOES work when you are out of cell range, the problem is you have no map data. Out in Colorado I could locate myself with the iPhone in the middle of nowhere (with GPS only), but all I had was a blue dot in the middle of a blank screen.

Ditto - have one on my GS to hold my Iphone. Works great. Can't take place of the GPS but I use it to look up weather, email, and have it blue toothed to my Sena headset for phone and music.

With all the negativity, I'm thinking I don't want to drop over $500 on a Montana. Just keep using my Nuvi 500 until Albie uses his pull to get Google to make a unit.

Honestly, if Garmin would just up the 50 Via point limit in a route to something like at least 200 I'd damn happy with the unit. AS it stands right now though, that friggen limit really hamstrings routing.